Fated to the Alpha Triplets, Bound by Vengeance

CHAPTER 3: Callista

After a long, heartfelt goodbye with lots of hugging and sobbing ( * cough * cough* Sarah* ), I got into the car with my dad and threw my duffel bag in the back seat. The movers will bring the rest of our things over later today. We began our long- ish journey by pulling out our snacks, drinks, and setting the radio to a low hum in the background.

We have been driving for about an hour now, so not too much longer until we are supposed to arrive. The car ride has been mostly silent with my dad concentrating on the road and me concentrating on my snacks. There has just been the sound of the radio and the occasional comment about the scenery as we drive down the highway.

When dad said that Lydia’s estate was “outside the city”, I imagined the suburbs, not this. We sure as he.ll are outside the city! There has been nothing but farms for the last I- don’t- even- know- how- long. I wonder what they grow here? Ooh! Look! There’s a cow!

Anyway, I thought her home was supposed to be nestled in the forest? Where the he.ll is this supposed forest? We should be there any time now, but I have yet to see even an inkling of this “forest”. I wonder if they were trying to upsell the place to me. Maybe Lydia just has a few trees in her yard. Like those windbreaker lines around the house on a farm. That has got to be it. The estate is probably some large farm or something?

Dad’s voice drags me out of my thoughts and back to the present.

“Listen Cal, I know things are changing pretty fast right now. The move, the engagement, a new school, and new family all in one fell swoop. But, I think this will be good for the both of us. Ever since your mom passed away, I’ve been worried about the fact that you don’t have a mother figure during your formative years as a young woman. Now, I’m not saying that she is a replacement for your mother, or that you should think of her as your new mother or anything, but I do think that Lydia will be a good influence for you. She can teach you things that I can’t. I hope you give this opportunity a real chance and try to find your way here. I just want you to be safe and happy. You know that, right kiddo?”

“Dad, I know you’re just doing what you think is best. Besides, I think you deserve a nice lady like Lydia. It has been seven years since Mom died. I didn’t expect you to be alone forever. Has this been a little abrupt? Yes it has, but I’m ok, dad. Really, I am. Actually, now that I’ve gotten my head wrapped around it, I’m kind of excited about this. So don’t worry about me, we’ll both be ok. Besides, I really like Lydia so far and I bet her kids will be just as likable.” I smile at my dad really meaning what I said. I hope I get along with my new soon- to- be step siblings.

“I love you, Princess!”

“I love you, too, Daddy- o!”

He pauses to gather his thoughts for a moment. “I’m glad to hear that you’re handling this so well. You know I’ll always worry about you, you’re my little girl. You’re the most important thing in the world to me.” His eyes look a little misty, but we both silently agree to ignore the fact.

I smile at him feeling so glad that I have such an amazing father in my corner, even if he does over do it sometimes. “I know Daddy, don’t worry, I know.”

He blinks his eyes a few times and then turns to me and smiles. “Looks like we’re here. Are you ready to see our new home?”

As ready as I’ll ever be, I’m so nervous! But I don’t say that. Instead, I just nod my head and smile back.

I look out the windshield and see big, black iron gates. Like, really big gates! Probably two stories high. The gates are surrounded by high stone walls. And. . . There are two armed guards at the gate? What the he.ll? Why do they need guards? I don’t dwell on it this minute. Instead I say, “ Sure, dad. Let’s go!” There’s no turning back now.

They check my dad’s ID and mine and then open up the gates for us to pass through. As we start driving down the gravel road, I notice that I can now see the forest that everyone has been telling me about. This sure seems like it came out of no where. Just farms then, BOOM, forest. Whatever, I can’t control nature.

I can’t even see Lydia’s house yet. How big is this “estate”? It seems more like we’re driving into a small town. We’re passing by a lot of small houses lined up a short distance from the road. There are more armed guards patrolling up and down the road. Is this place that dangerous?

The hairs on the back of my neck stand up at the thought. My whole body is instantly on high alert. I start scanning the area with eyes looking for some sort of threat, my head swiveling from left to right.

No. No, my dad wouldn’t bring me somewhere dangerous. I’m just being silly. It is pretty weird though. I’ll just ask my dad about it instead of freaking out.

“Um. . . Dad?”

“Yeah, Cal?”

“Uh. . . Yeah” Why have all my cognitive abilities suddenly taken a nose dive? “W-why are there so many guys with. . . guns. . . like, everywhere?” I stutter my question out because I’m suddenly so nervous that I can hardly breathe.

“Oh. . . That. . . Well, um. . .” My dad clears his throat before he continues. Why does he seem so nervous all of a sudden, too? “Well, I told you that Lydia’s family owns several businesses and they’re well known around here for it. They are a prime target for burglaries. So. . . the guards are here just as a. . . deterrent.”

“Uh- huh. . . ?” Alright I’m calling bullsh.it. But I don’t feel like arguing with my dad in the first 5 minutes that we’re here. Yeah, you heard me, five minutes. We have been driving for five minutes and I STILL have yet to see the house. What even is this place?

I guess I’ll find out soon.